Discover the Stanley Clark Difference
Welcome from the Director of Enrollment
Thank you for your interest in The Stanley Clark School! We are a fully accredited independent, co-educational day school serving students age three through grade 8. The curriculum is centered on four pillars: academics, athletics, the arts and character.
We value a growth mindset and promote resilience as Stanley Clark students pursue passions and discover innovative solutions. A breadth and depth of knowledge serve students well as they learn how to take calculated risks and problem solve. Most notably, our students demonstrate empathy and awareness through leadership and service.
Students at all grade levels enjoy small class sizes and benefit from the support of faculty specialized in their subject areas. Beginning in our early childhood Reggio Emilia classrooms, teachers foster curiosity through a comfortable child-centered environment and by adapting the curriculum to match the interests of their students. A deep appreciation and engagement in the arts continue through foreign language, music, performing arts and the sciences. Students adeptly work well individually and on a team, exhibit good sportsmanship, and embody poise and confidence.
I welcome the opportunity to speak with you more specifically about how The Stanley Clark School may be a good fit for your family. Whether local to the area, or relocating to South Bend, we would love to welcome you to campus. If you have any questions, please complete an inquiry form or call me at your convenience.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to The Stanley Clark School!
Kind regards,
Michelle B. Kuehn
Director of Enrollment and Community Relations
Parents' Guide - Three Steps for Exploring Best Fit in Schools
While we are fortunate to have many viable school options within our greater community, there is no single school that is the best fit for every child. So, where do you begin the process of finding the best school option for your child? Parents are the single best advocate for their child(ren). With a little thoughtful planning, you'll be prepared to find the best option for your family. We invite you to complete the simple form below to download our Parents' Guide - helping you reflect and make comparisons as you engage with schools you are considering.
Submit this Form to Access Your Printable Parents' Guide
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Apply Now
We are building an applicant pool for the 2026-27 academic year! Apply now! In addition, we continue to gauge interest for the 2025-26 academic year as space allows.
Tour Our Classrooms
We are delighted to offer in-person tours by appointment! Please contact us to ask questions or to schedule a personal tour.
Take the First Step Toward a Stanley Clark Education
![A Passion for Sea Turtles Inspires Year-Long Reggio-Inspired Learning in Preschool]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744817337/stanleyclark/s3tcpcqvqdeeajtmjybx/Turtles-Experts.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744817337/stanleyclark/s3tcpcqvqdeeajtmjybx/Turtles-Experts.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744817337/stanleyclark/s3tcpcqvqdeeajtmjybx/Turtles-Experts.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744817337/stanleyclark/s3tcpcqvqdeeajtmjybx/Turtles-Experts.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744817337/stanleyclark/s3tcpcqvqdeeajtmjybx/Turtles-Experts.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1744817337/stanleyclark/s3tcpcqvqdeeajtmjybx/Turtles-Experts.png","width":2200}])
Early in the school year, when a student brought a book to school about sea turtles, no one could have imagined at the time the breadth and depth of where this organically emergent topic would take the class of preschoolers. What unfolded was an incredible example of how learning takes place in a Reggio Emilia-inspired classroom, where students' curiosity leads to rich discovery, collaboration, development, and growth, all centered around students' interests. Read about Mrs. Gratrix and Mrs. Bobos' 4/5 class's engaging journey throughout the school year and how a passion for sea turtles has made such a tremendous impact.
![Shelter-Dog Artwork Inspires Empathy and Curiosity in Students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742312462/stanleyclark/nsw6odt4fkkow07hsprj/WAG-1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742312462/stanleyclark/nsw6odt4fkkow07hsprj/WAG-1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742312462/stanleyclark/nsw6odt4fkkow07hsprj/WAG-1.png","width":800}])
When a Stanley Clark alumna reached out with an opportunity to help shelter dogs find their forever homes, our 1st through 3rd grade students were beyond excited to get started! A partnership with The South Bend Animal Resource Center led students to create drawings, posters, and sculptures of dogs up for adoption to draw attention to their unique traits and personalities. Read more about the impact it's had on our students as well as the shelter dogs!
!["So, What Exactly is an Independent School?"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663880984/stanleyclark/xbrwdzids3haekbm4iwt/BenBlog-Art.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663880984/stanleyclark/xbrwdzids3haekbm4iwt/BenBlog-Art.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663880984/stanleyclark/xbrwdzids3haekbm4iwt/BenBlog-Art.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663880984/stanleyclark/xbrwdzids3haekbm4iwt/BenBlog-Art.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663880984/stanleyclark/xbrwdzids3haekbm4iwt/BenBlog-Art.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663880984/stanleyclark/xbrwdzids3haekbm4iwt/BenBlog-Art.png","width":2200}])
What exactly is an independent school, and what sets it apart from private and public schools? Read about how our Head of School, Ben Ottenweller, explains some of the ways that make Stanley Clark unique, even in the independent school community.
![A Learning Environment of Mutual Respect]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669645834/stanleyclark/jytqddm1aatckf53tjn6/Payton1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1669645834/stanleyclark/jytqddm1aatckf53tjn6/Payton1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1669645834/stanleyclark/jytqddm1aatckf53tjn6/Payton1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1669645834/stanleyclark/jytqddm1aatckf53tjn6/Payton1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1669645834/stanleyclark/jytqddm1aatckf53tjn6/Payton1.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1669645834/stanleyclark/jytqddm1aatckf53tjn6/Payton1.png","width":2200}])
In her search to find a school where her middle school daughter could rekindle her love for learning, current SCS parent, Lindsey Forsyth, discovered Stanley Clark was exactly what her daughter needed – a place of mutual respect where she could be trusted, seen and challenged.
![Three Key Questions to Ask When Selecting a School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1563211824/stanleyclark/qhdauv1rpt8votwr4ubz/ThreeQuestionsEnrollmentThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1563211824/stanleyclark/qhdauv1rpt8votwr4ubz/ThreeQuestionsEnrollmentThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1563211824/stanleyclark/qhdauv1rpt8votwr4ubz/ThreeQuestionsEnrollmentThumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1563211824/stanleyclark/qhdauv1rpt8votwr4ubz/ThreeQuestionsEnrollmentThumbnail.jpg","width":1200}])
With the rich selection of schools available, how do you choose the right one? Our Director of Enrollment recommends prospective parents consider these three questions when discerning the best fit for each child.
![The Rich Benefits of Reflection and the Parent/Teacher Partnership]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1667480269/stanleyclark/ccqw0ptmyol8ran9bwho/conferenceblog.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1667480269/stanleyclark/ccqw0ptmyol8ran9bwho/conferenceblog.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1667480269/stanleyclark/ccqw0ptmyol8ran9bwho/conferenceblog.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1667480269/stanleyclark/ccqw0ptmyol8ran9bwho/conferenceblog.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1667480269/stanleyclark/ccqw0ptmyol8ran9bwho/conferenceblog.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1667480269/stanleyclark/ccqw0ptmyol8ran9bwho/conferenceblog.png","width":2200}])
Parent-teacher conferences allow everyone involved in a child’s education to pause and reflect. Read more about the rich benefits of conference notes and conversation between parents and teachers, along with three pieces of advice to guide you in your own child's educational journey.